DEFENDING champions Ex-Servicemen maintained their 100 per cent start to the winter with a 29-pin away win over Nynehead Club in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship.

Last season’s winners had to come from behind, after trailing by seven pins at the half time interval.

Scores - Nynehead Club 387, Ex-Servicemen 416: Jimmy Compton top scored for the home side with a solid 53 while Adrian Perry (64) and Kev Denslow (62) led the charge as Ex-Servicemen ended with hands of 70, 76 and 69.

Foresters 393, Mowers 411: Second-placed Mowers were at their formidable best to see off Foresters by 18 pins at the White Horse in a high-scoring match. Martin Wyatt knocked a top of the alley 65 for Foresters while Darren Winter (62) steered Mowers to victory.

Scuppas 362, Here 4 the Beer 326: Scuppas picked up a good home win with 36-pins separating the sides at the Cottage. Adrian Newstead (53) was in good form for Scuppas while Ollie Price scored 49 for the losers.

All Stars 389, Outsiders 365: All Stars’ impressive form continued with a 24-pin success over Outsiders on the downstairs alley of the Vic. Young Owin Milton hit 58 for the winners while Dave Burton knocked 51 for Outsiders.

King Pins 289, United Services 302: John Norman hit a hardworking 41 for the Pins who recorded their lowest score so far this season. Services faired only slightly better with Ben Gamlin also hitting 41 for the away side.

WRFC 352, Odds & Ends 320: The rugby boys boosted their hopes of avoiding the bottom spot with an important win over Odds & Ends at the Conservative Club. Andy Thorne was the star skittler for the home side with 54 while Dan Smith (45) was the leading scorer for the division’s bottom side.

Gerald Thorne Championship - Bell Green 378, Reservists 374: Leaders Bell Green came out on the right side of a close game at the Victoria Arms with Jason Powell being the match-winner with a superb 61. However, Reservists pushed them all the way - thanks largely to a fine 61 by Peter Chamberlain.

Queens Legs 394, Cottage Pies 382: Queens Legs hit their second highest home score of the season in beating their title challengers on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club - thanks to a fine 56 by Daren Mason. The Pies’ top skittler was Paul Robinson with 55.

Relyon 357, Oaks 338: Relyon gained their third win on the bounce with a steady display at the Conservative Club, sealing victory by 19 pins with Callum Hayes being their standout performer with a splendid 56, while Jordan Hastlehurst went one pin better for Oaks.

Shooters 369, OBA 385: OBA hit their best score of the winter so far, seeing off Shooters by 16 pins with Denver Clarke knocking 57, while Richard Cox scored 54 for the home side.

Home Guard II 327, Fireguard A 319: Home Guard II squeezed home by eight pins in a Football Club derby with Andy Davey’s 47 proving crucial. Dan Taylor (58) was top scorer on the night.

Rebels 325, Report Centre A 291: Rebels claimed a comfortable win with Baz Winter (47) being their top scorer, while John Cottrell hit 45 for RCA.

Club Rockers 319, Hot Shots 336: Edd Chivers (51) got Hot Shots over the line, after Mark Bower had scored 43 for the Rockers.